Comparison

Run Trainer vs Bearvelo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Run Trainer

This app serves as a personal running coach and GPS tracker, offering guided training plans for various distances from Couch to 5K to half marathons. It provides audio coaching, detailed performance statistics, and seamless integration with Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Personalized training plans (Couch to 5K, 10K, Half Marathon)
  • Customizable training schedules (MyPlan)
  • Audio coaching with voice cues
  • Integrated music control
  • Free Run mode for untracked runs
  • Accurate GPS tracking with Apple Maps
  • Detailed performance statistics (SpeedMap, pace overview)
  • Apple Watch app for hands-free training
Features
Read full description

Get ready to hit your running goals, maybe even smash them, with Run Trainer, your personal running coach and GPS run tracker. Whether you’re a beginner dreaming of your first 5K with Start to Run (Couch to 5K) or an experienced runner training for a faster 10K or half marathon, our iOS app with Apple Watch support is built to guide you every step of the way. Improve your health, lose weight or simply stay in top shape with our built-in training plans, or build your own in minutes. Why runners choose Run Trainer Personalized training plans for every level - From Couch to 5K for absolute beginners to advanced plans for 10K, 15K and even a half marathon. - With MyPlan, you can easily create custom training schedules, perfect for recovery blocks or specific goals. - Our plans use a clear, effective 3-step approach: Walk, Jog, Run. Smart training with audio coaching - Get clear voice cues during every workout to guide your pace and structure so you stay on rhythm and motivated. - Enjoy your own music from Apple Music, Spotify, Podcasts or other apps. Run Trainer automatically lowers the volume for instructions so you stay focused. - Prefer running freely with tracking? Free Run lets you head out without a plan while still tracking your performance. Accurate GPS tracking & detailed stats - Record your route with live GPS using Apple Maps. - See distance, time, pace and calories at a glance. During and after your run. - Dig into performance details with the unique SpeedMap, showing exactly where you sped up or slowed down and where you can optimize your pace for better results. - Review a clear pace overview (min/km) across all your workouts to monitor progress and set targets. Seamless with your Apple devices - Leave your iPhone in your pocket or in the holder. The Apple Watch app shows live running data on your wrist so you can train hands-free. - Sync your training data effortlessly with our free cloud service and Apple Health for a complete view of your fitness and health metrics. Your progress, always within reach - Your stats sync automatically with your free account. - Never worry about losing progress. Log in and pick up where you left off, even on a new phone or after reinstalling the app. Run Trainer: by runners, for runners We believe in simplicity and effectiveness. Run Trainer is built by runners for runners, delivering an intuitive, motivating coaching experience. See why so many runners have appreciated its clarity and functionality for over 10 years. Try Run Trainer risk-free today. Enjoy a generous free period with access to all features, without automatic subscription renewal. Explore everything first, then decide if you want to become a member. Start your running journey now, improve your fitness and discover your full potential! Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Bearvelo

Plan and track various physical activities like walking, running, and cycling. Connect your activity data with your health information for a comprehensive overview. Monitor activities with children or pets, and record indoor workouts with Bluetooth sensors.

Highlights
  • Activity planning and tracking
  • Health information integration
  • Record activities with children/pets
  • Indoor activity recording via Bluetooth
  • Apple Health and Weather integration
Features
Read full description

BearVelo is an activity planning and tracking application, allowing users to plan and record common activities (walking, running, cycling, wheelchair etc), as well as tying this information to the users health information. Our focus is on providing an activity planning and tracking application for the common person. We want you to find time for your activities, continue to do activities and enjoy them, and if you want find ways to improve or understand how you can have a good experience. This is an ever expanding and evolving area in this product, and we look forward to making the experience enjoyable, and making your activities more enjoyable. In addition to your own activities, you can record your walking and running activities that you do with your children or pets as their own type, so you can monitor your child's progress and your pets continued activities. With the appropriate bluetooth sensors, BearVelo can also record indoor activities, for example if using a bluetooth enabled stationary bike. Integrated with the Apple Health app and Apple Weather

Screenshots

Run Trainer4 screens
Bearvelo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bearvelo at none against Run Trainer's 3. Bearvelo also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). Run Trainer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (198 vs 2). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Run Trainer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Bearvelo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Run Trainer against 4.5 for Bearvelo. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Run Trainer has 198 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Run Trainer ships an update monthly, Bearvelo fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Run Trainer versus Bearvelo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRun TrainerBearvelo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (198 ratings)4.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings198 — better2
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.6
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRun Trainer B.V.Joshua Sherwood

Customer experience

Run Trainer

All ratings198 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive52.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative38.0%

Bearvelo

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Run Trainer

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes mid-run and loses recording
  • Pausing workout causes progress restart
  • Login freezes and authentication failures
  • Sign-up form stuck on DOB slider
  • App won't open or keeps crashing
Show 9 more
  • Cellular connectivity not working
  • GPS not recording distance accurately
  • Voice command timing off by seconds
  • Text overlapping and display corruption
  • Music playlist won't save between runs
  • App logs out unexpectedly
  • Marathon pack programs inaccessible
  • Interface buttons showing incorrect text
  • Non-English content in settings

Requested features

10 requests
  • Apple Watch standalone functionality without phone
  • Integration with Fitbit and MyFitnessPal
  • Integration with native Fitness app
  • Weight loss tracking integration
  • Treadmill mode improvements
Show 5 more
  • More detailed feature documentation
  • Voice-only coaching option
  • Continued distance tracking after workout completion
  • Better music playlist management
  • Indoor running options

Bearvelo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Run Trainer

Subscriptions3
  • All features per month1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • All features per 3 months3 Months trial$15.493 Months
  • All features per month year1 Year trial$43.991 Year
None

Bearvelo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Run Trainer free?
Run Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bearvelo free?
Bearvelo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Run Trainer or Bearvelo?
Bearvelo is rated higher. Run Trainer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 198 ratings, while Bearvelo averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Run Trainer or Bearvelo have ads?
Bearvelo shows ads; Run Trainer does not.
Which is updated more often, Run Trainer or Bearvelo?
Run Trainer ships an update monthly, and Bearvelo fortnightly. Most recently, Run Trainer was updated on September 25, 2026 and Bearvelo on September 8, 2026.

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